Pat Gorelangton creates authentic Hawaiian quilts with hand appliqué using designs created both by others and with her own unique designs. Her quilts are inspired by the flowers, plants and nature of Hawaii.
Why quilting? How did you get started? Did you start with traditional quilting and then learn Hawaiian quilting?
My mother taught me to sew on the machine, but I think it was watching my paternal grandmother doing fine crochet work that really spoke to me.
I made several patchwork quilts, but when my friend took me to see a quilt display by the Poakalani Quilt Group, the real journey began. Though I had made a couple of pieces with my first kumu (teacher) Luika Kamaka, I consider John Serrao, Poakalani’s husband and our group’s master pattern designer, my teacher and mentor.
John gave me so many patterns and finally pushed me to create my own designs. I’ve been a member of the Poakalani quilt group for 18 years. If I see something that truly inspires me, I’ll draw a pattern, but the majority of my quilts are John Serrao designs.
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Tell us more about the history and traditions of Hawaiian quilts.
Not too long ago, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of quilting coming to the islands in 1820. Missionary women taught the local women to quilt patchwork style, but the Hawaiian women soon came up with their own interpretation.
The story goes that a woman was sitting under a tree and noticed how the sun cast shadowy patterns of the tree onto her fabric. Most Hawaiian patterns are designed on the eighth, much like a paper snowflake. What is unique to our style of quilting are the “echo” quilting lines…much like the waves of the ocean coming to shore.
Describe your creative space.
Living in Waikiki, space is at a premium, so I quilt in the corner of my couch and lay out my quilts on my living room carpet. My husband has our furniture on sliders, so I can push everything to one side. Even so, a king size is too big, so I have to lay it out a half at a time…a bit challenging, but I’m used to it now.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
I almost always have the TV on in the background while appliquéing and quilting…usually True Crime, haha…but football season is always a favorite. Basting is not fun, so I usually put on some Michael Jackson to keep me energized.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
As I get close to finishing a project, I’m already planning my next one…I truly can’t imagine not quilting. Usually, I’m working on a large project at home, and a smaller one at our Saturday quilt class.
Many of the pieces I make now are commissions… whether it’s a new quilt, or finishing a quilt started by my client’s mom or grandmother. Those always bring me much gratification, as I bring a quilt to completion to comfort and warm another generation.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
Because I live in such a beautiful place, I can just walk out my door to find inspiration, especially since the majority of quilt designs are of plants or flowers.
However, one of my most favorite designs is actually a reverse appliqué quilt. I saw the tribal tattoos on Duane “The Rock” Johnson’s shoulder, and wanted to try to translate it into a quilt design. Reverse appliqué was the only way it could be done, as those tattoos have so many lines and shapes…impossible to do with the traditional style of Hawaiian quilting. Yet I still designed it on the eighths and honored the traditional echo quilt lines. And the geckos are our family’s “amakua”, or household deity…an ancient Hawaiian tradition.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I love it all…except for basting.
When you travel, do you create while on planes and in waiting areas? What is in your creative travel kit?
I only quilt at home or at class. As I quilt 8-10 hours a day, every day, traveling is actually a break for me, so no projects on a trip.
How has your work evolved over the years? Is there a common thread (pun intended!) across the years?
I don’t think my work has evolved too much over the years. Within the general “rules” of Hawaiian quilting, I have sometimes used a heavier thread (pearl cotton #8) to emphasize stitching detail, or used reverse appliqué to highlight a pattern design.
For me, the process of making a Hawaiian quilt in itself is so beautiful and satisfying that I don’t feel the need to change much.
When you have time to create for yourself, what kinds of projects do you make?
I like to work on bigger projects, so I’m always making a queen or king size. Lately, vintage patterns by Caroline Correa, which can be found at the Poakalani pattern store, have really interested me.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
So far, I’ve never been bored…so many patterns to make! That’s my motivation too…I want to get to as many of them as I can.
Tell us more about your recent commission for the Smithsonian Collection. How did that come about?
I don’t know how much I can say about my commission for the Smithsonian. I got an email out of the blue, from the curator at Renwick Gallery, and it went from there. They were kind enough to let me select the colors and the pattern ( a vintage pattern). As far as I know, it will be on display in November of 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States…and should be up for 6 months. This is definitely a highlight of my quilting journey! I’m very honored.
Where can people see your work?
People can see my work on Instagram…hawaiianquiltsbypat. I also have a quilt as part of a display at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England…about 15 ladies from our quilt group each contributed a wall hanging for the display. A number of us also worked on a king size quilt for the Boston Museum of Fine Art…they wanted us to do it as a group.
Lastly, the Auckland Museum in New Zealand purchased a king size quilt from me. I don’t know when Boston or Auckland will display their quilts.
Interview posted April 2025
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